The body scan

[Happyogababe]

I suffer with pain (a lot) and most recently the addition of strained muscles in neck, shoulders and chest has been difficult.

I have done a long body scan today. Initially I couldn't feel much but by the end I was feeling a lot, including the pain (which I zoomed in to and fully experienced). The pain didn't clear but I was aware of its texture, edges and fluctuations.

I continued to follow my breath when I'd completed the scan and became aware of the whole body in a way that I've never done before. At times it felt light as a feather, gently thrumming. Other times it felt 'real' and pulsed with a slight pressure on different parts (my forehead).

I was relaxed. Mind calm. I was in a nice place.

Afterwards I feel calm, grounded, content and focused.

Pain is still there but I'm aware that it has different intensity and fluxes.

[Peter]

You're doing so great, Happy!
Peter

[Happyogababe]

You're doing so great, Happy!
Peter

I hope so

[fabiG]

It's very interesting how Mindfulness deals with bodily sensations. Last month I suffered a head injury (nothing serious) and while on my way to the hospital I noticed how the pain fluctuated. I experienced the same yesterday having tremendous headache (so I couldn't watch the snooker ) when I was lying in bed. Concentrating on the pain and seeing how it changes constantly definitely helped me on these occasions. Yesterday I thought the pain wouldn't make me sleep, then I concentrated on it and the next thing I remember is waking up feeling much better after some hours sleep. I also I think I have noticed a pattern of my body when I feel (constant) stressed, my right calf pulsates quite heavily then.

What's escaping from me is the reaction of my body when there is instant stress, for example when dealing with a sudden message among other things. Then I notice something strange appearing on my upper body (chest, stomach etc.), it is like a cold layer which subsides on my body. I can't really locate it more exactly neither can I really breath into it. Does anyone else have the same phenomenon?

[Gareth]

Stress/anxiety normally start off as a feeling in my stomach. I think this is common for a lot of people.

[Happyogababe]

I will normally feel sensations in and around my stomach and chest area if acute stress begins. It can arrive before I've had a chance to notice it developing. I can only do my best in those situations and try to connect with the breath.

[Lachland Davis]

Thanks for you addition, Jon!

[Elle Hall]

Hi MyBubble,

Welcome to the site!

Good question! I understand what you're saying. And I agree; it can distract from actually feeling what is there.

I personally sometimes use breathing into body parts on purpose when my thoughts are pulling me in strongly, or when I tend to fall asleep. Mainly to also incorporate the breath continually into the practice, because I'm more actively involved, I get less easily distracted. So it is a sort of trick. But it can also be used to change perspective!

[Sensi]

Hi All

Recently I've started doing the body scan again. I've done it sporadically over the past few years. I usually don't mind it at all and notice that the more I practice the more I can sense my body. Over the past two weeks I've done it every night and enjoyed a sense of relaxation after. However, the past three nights I've found it impossible to finish. I get through scanning the legs and the torso, but suddenly I start to feel very antsy in my body and I can't for the life of me stop squirming. It's like my legs have a will of their own (something like restless leg syndrome) and sometimes other parts of my body as well. I also seem to get anxious around this time also. All of this reaches a crescendo of some sort, and I could literally jump out of bed if I let myself. I feel like I truly can't finish it. The sensations could almost be described as disturbing. Like I said I've never encountered this before and used to find the body scan quite relaxing.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

[JonW]

Hi sensi, I would never encourage someone to sit with prolonged suffering but maybe this is something you could be with for a minute or two. Simply observe the sensation without naming it, allow it to be, try not to wish it away. See what happens.
Cheers,
Jon